Rising Dragon & American Eagle

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  • June 9, 2011 at 4:11 am #27282
    Anonymous
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    Robert Sutter's article address similar issues/themes from David Shambaugh's Part I of article "Rising Dragon & the American Eagle"; those issues/themes are the influences of China/the United States and relations with Taiwan. Sutter addresses these issues and themes in the same way that I address them with my students, by giving numerous viewpoints. He particularly mentions that the US had continued and will continue to have a dominating presence of influence in Asia, yet he also admits that China's influence will continue to grow but not at the hype that many naysayers are saying. Sutter described America's decline in the 1970's & 1980's as "perceived" and "exaggerated." Still, he says that China and the United States are approaching the status of each other's influence, "with caution". Though I give numerous viewpoints on issues when I teach classes, I would bring this article to my class discussion in order to teach the students that an approach towards a viewpoint on an issue could be taken in the same way that people approach the status of influence of the US & the PRC...that is..."with caution."

    June 22, 2011 at 6:19 am #4680
    Rob_Hugo@PortNW
    Keymaster

    What I find interesting about David Shambaugh's article is that he goes to both sides of America's and China's influence over Asia. He says that America's influence in Asia has reduced in favor of China, yet towards the end of the article, he acknowledges that the US "...remains the region's most powerful actor..."
    I agree and understand Shambaugh's views that South Korea and China relate more to each other's approaches/views towards North Korean aggression, and how Seoul and Beijing are not as much "in tune" with the US approach/view towards North Korea. The explanation to this phenomena is simple...Geography. South Korea and China border North Korea...simple as that. Shambaugh does acknowledge that Japan and Taiwan are exceptions to the Asian countries favoring China against America...this having to do mostly, I think, because of their dependence on America militarily. Though South Korea does depend on the US militarily, China's close military presence outnumbers American troops stationed in South Korea, and thus China's military could have more of a say and upper hand against bordering North Korea. Regarding Taiwan, Shambaugh mentions China's efforts to "offset concerns about its buildup against Taiwan". Taiwan and China's military has been a heated topic in my classroom discussions. We particularly discuss the military invasion scenarios that China might inflict upon Taiwan if such an invasion would occur. This article does address issues discussed in my Social Studies classes regarding China's military, and my students and I are quick to point out the advantages and disadvantages that China and the US each have militarily in strength.
    edited by ggamboa on 6/9/2011

    June 22, 2011 at 6:19 am #27283
    Anonymous
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    I agree with you on your analysis of the article by David Shambaugh and would like to add that the way the Chinese have been able to develop relationships in Asia is by being a good neighbor, practicing "soft power diplomacy". I sometimes think our (US) foreign policy tends to be a knee jerk reaction to an incident and we have a tendency not to see the whole picture. Shambaugh points this out when he refers to American myopic focus on the war on terrorism. If we would/could step back and really see the world and all that is going on and perhaps be more multilateral in some of our decisions, Asia may still be on the top of our friends list.

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